Summer Solstice

Loosen up your body and bring a cool balance to your being with this practice that integrates vyana vayu into your flow. Practice vinyasas with shorter holds, moving through surya namaskars with lunges, side stretches, shoulder openers and standing balances. Creative sequencing focuses on hip and heart opening without overtaxing yourself during these warmer months.

Summer is Pitta season according to Ayurveda, and this means a practice that is fun and 'body/heart' driven rather than harsh and 'brain' driven. Focus on moving from your back body, and dive into moon salutations, forward folds, a few twists, and the opening of the side panel of your body. You will build heat in order to open more deeply, but you will also spend ample time cooling off with supported forward folds. Props Needed: A block.

Climb into bed, close your eyes, and take a quiet moment to organize your thoughts. Put away any fears or stresses from the day, releasing negativity as you sink into sleep. A final guided body scan will help you surrender and relax, leaving you ready for a deep and rejuvenating rest. Props Suggested: A blanket or bolster.

A yin practice is a perfect complement to the hot temperatures of Summer. Focus on cooling poses that stimulate your kidney and urinary bladder meridians with a touch of dampness from the stomach and spleen meridians. This helps balance an over abundance of inner fire which manifests as excess excitement and enthusiasm. Sitali pranayama will conclude the practice and bring you into a balance of not too hot or too cold. Props Needed: A blanket and a bolster.

Combine empowering, positive affirmations and the calming effect of the ocean with this sweet, guided meditation. Remaining in savasana, visualize the ocean as you focus on your breath, allowing the ebb and flow of the waves to cleanse your mind and body. You are boundless and without limits when you feel both powerful and tranquil. A great practice to start or end your day, or anytime you want to soothe and calm your body.

Inspired by the deep blue water of Hawaii. Swim through a creative practice that gives you the feeling of being weightless in water. Start out warming up your legs to prepare for heart opening backbends. Float through a series of surya namaskar A's, followed by a creative sequence that will have you swimming with the dolphins. Build up to full wheel with ankle to knee variations. Cool down with a supine twist and forward fold. Props Needed: Two blocks.

You'll love this well rounded awakening practice. A little flow, some lunging, deepening side stretches and a little back bending make up this morning inspired class. Begin with standing half moon pose and say hello to the sun as you start to flow. Build just enough heat so you can open up for the rest of your day. Conclude your practice with a rejuvenating savasana. You'll feel centered and ready to go.

Observe the qualities of morning which are innately creative and transformative. Visualize the rising of the sun in your opening meditation, internalize the process of turning from dark to light. A slow paced flow takes you through sun salutations, creative variations on triangle and warrior 2 to wake up your shoulders. A balance challenge with side plank, crow, headstand and a hip opener before a brief rest in savasana. Props Needed: A block.